Academic Parent-Teacher Teams ( APTT ) Cultivating Authentic Family-School Partnerships Lake Geneva - Wisconsin October 29, 2014 Faith Burtamekh

Objectives for Today Learn and discuss the why, what, and how of school-based family engagement that leads to improved student learning and achievement.

Why School-Based Family Engagement?

It’s a Matter of Time Based on 6 hours of instruction, 180 days per year, and 8 hours of sleep time. (At school = 1,080 Hours) (Asleep = 2,920 Hours) ( Away from school = 4,760 Hours) (Total Hours in a Year = 8,760)

Family Engagement Matters for Students and Schools % of schools substantially improving in reading Bryk, A.Sebring, P., Allensworth, A., Luppescu, S., & Easton, J. (2010). Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.  Five“essential supports” predicted dramatic school improvement  Combined, supports had greater impact  Weakness over time in any area undermined improvement

APTT and The Dual Capacity Framework Current research supports efforts that are: Intentional and strategic Linked to learning Systematic and sustained Developmental Relational and collaborative Karen L. Mapp et al, (2013) Partners in Education A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships (A publication of SEDL in collaboration with the USDE)

Why? Build Efficacy and Capacity To build family knowledge and confidence that supports student learning at home and in the community.

What is Family Engagement?

Family engagement is parent-teacher collaboration to drive student learning and achievement.

What are you currently doing to engage families at your school? On paper, create a list of all the activities and events that you invite families to attend at your school every year. Activity

Activity: Part 2 Go back to the list you created and put a star next to everything you invite families to participate in that has to do with student learning.

Activity: Part 3 Review the list again and circle everything you invite families to participate in that is focused on grade-level learning goals.

School-Based Family Engagement Parent Involvement What a school does to bring parents onto a school campus. Conferences Festivals/celebrations PTA/PTO/PTSA Workshops Volunteer opportunities Family Engagement What families do to apply what they learn in order to support student learning at home and in the community. 13

How do we create meaningful family engagement?

Academic Parent-Teacher Teams (APTT)

Team Meeting (75-min.) Held In Early Fall Individual Session (30-min.) Held In Oct-Nov. Team Meeting (75-min.) Held In Winter Team Meeting (75-min.) Held In Spring APTT Model

17 APTT Shifts the Focus from Accountability to Capacity Building and Shared Responsibility

Results From APTT Implementation Accelerated student academic progress Increased parent-teacher collaboration focused on student goals Increased family capacity to support learning Improved overall school culture Exceed Title I requirements Efficient and strategic family outreach

How do we make it happen? Build awareness and readiness with school staff Provide professional development Provide teachers with supported planning time Have a strong family outreach plan Collect data every step of the way Make it part of the school/district improvement plan

Thank You! MARIA C. PAREDES F AITH BURTAMEKH